I've just listened to The Oxford Blues CE, and I must agree with Jason that the canticles were enjoyable, as also was the Our Father, but I didn't think much of the Psalm. Interesting way to do the 3 Collects!
The short sermon helped my understanding of the concept, and I suppose there's a place for this type of worship somewhere. Just not really my cup of tea.

I'm not very
au fait
with the service of Vespers, but this week's CE from Westminster Cathedral is certainly worth hearing if only for the quality of the choir. This is the first time I've heard them since James O'Donnell left, and I must say, their standard is still as good as ever.

I'm not very
au fait
with the service of Vespers, but this week's CE from Westminster Cathedral is certainly worth hearing if only for the quality of the choir. This is the first time I've heard them since James O'Donnell left, and I must say, their standard is still as good as ever.

Beautifully said Lance. Cf my post on the waffle which partly should have been posted here. I've heard O'Donnell numerous times at the Abbey (both CE and Sunday morning) and the standards are excellent. To say that the standards at his former cathedral are "as good as ever" is a high compliment!

Finally got the chance to hear the latest CE. Hope others have heard it too.

First of all, may I say that anyone who has not yet seen the newly completed tower at the cathedral should definitely give it a look. Splendid.

I enjoyed the CE very much. The Bingham will hopefully turn up again (on a recording perhaps?) and of course the Smith Responses are always welcome. The Sumsion anthem
They that go down to the sea
is a particular favourite of mine. It was sung beautifully.

Dyson in D
is another favourite, but I had mixed feelings about that. The Magnificat started out in a very genteel manner, yet it never generated enough momentum in the big build-up to meet the climax (one of almost Wagnerian intensity) head-on. Rather frustrating. The Nunc dimittis, however, had that rapt contemplation that seemed perfectly judged.

Any comments? Cheers,
Jason

Edited for typos that didn't appear until I posted. John should check the software for gremlins.

Your astute comments are always appreciated.
I was surprised by the Bingham, only by the fact it sounded a bit grandiose as an introit. But it was certainly enjoyable, and I too await a recording of it. I was also very taken with their psalms, a couple of chants there were new to me. Fair comment on the Dyson, and the Sumsion.

I have never been to St.Edmundsbury. Tell us more about the tower!

By the way, no-one has passed any comment yet about the chanting of The Highway Code and Weather Forecast, which I posted in another thread last Monday. Have you listened yet

Peterborough Chamber Choir sang there as visiting choir on the weekend of Passion Sunday this year. Very friendly place, and considering there is no choir school, and someone over on the BBC boards has mentioned that the men are volunteers as well, they have a strong musical tradition, with 5 different choral groups running (
http://www.stedscathedral.co.uk/510.htm
). However, the organ is apparently on its last legs, and they are having major fundraising for a rebuild at the moment.

Beautiful town as well, and not so homogenised as many UK towns are unfortunatley becoming._________________--
David